‘Portugal needs immigrants,’ Activists warns against Portugal’s new immigration law
Portugal’s recently enacted restrictive immigration measures could drive away much-needed foreign workers and harm the national economy, warned Timoteo Macedo, president of the Immigrant Solidarity Association.
Speaking after President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa approved the new law tightening entry and residency rules, Macedo cautioned that the policy is already reshaping migration flows and not in Portugal’s favour.
“Citizens have stopped coming to Portugal and have started going to other countries,” he said, citing a decline in arrivals from Brazil, India, Angola, Pakistan, Nepal, and other key migrant communities.
While the government argues the law is necessary to regulate and control migration, Macedo stressed that Portugal cannot afford to close its doors.
“Portugal needs immigrants,” he insisted. “To meet the goals of the Portugal 2030 plan and the Recovery and Resilience Program (RRP), more immigrants are needed, from Brazil or anywhere else,” he told Viory.
Portugal, which faces an ageing population and labour shortages across sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality, and care services, has long relied on immigration to sustain its workforce.
Macedo acknowledged the government’s desire for clearer rules but argued that overly rigid restrictions will “complicate the Portuguese economy,” undermining growth at a time when labour demand remains high.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
